Legislative eNews

Local

District 4 County Council Seat Vacated

Former Beaufort County Councilman Peter Lamb was sworn in as a part-time Beaufort County magistrate Tuesday leaving open his council seat..

The District 4 seat represents much of Bluffton.  The seat will remain vacant until Governor Sanford appoints a replacement or until after the November election, whichever happens first. Council Chairman Weston Newton recently moved to District 4 and is running unopposed for the District 4 seat in November.

Town Changes Business License Fees for Rentals

At the Hilton Head Town Council meeting on Tuesday, the council voted to eliminate an exemption that allowed property owners renting fewer than five properties to operate without a business license.  The ordinance will now exempt one unit, or “casual” rentals, for both short-term and long-term rental properties.

It will also change the way property management companies handle rentals. Rental companies will continue to be required to have a business license.  The town will now require all owners renting through the companies to be licensed as well.

The new ordinance will not be enforced until 2007 to give the town time to educate property owners and management firms about the changes.

Disaster Recovery

The Town of Hilton Head will borrow money for the fall beach renourishment and  retain reserves from the hospitality tax for disaster recovery. The beach renourishment project will paid for through the issuance of $19 million in bonds that will be repaid over a period of time with hospitatality tax dollars.

The town has for many years set aside funds for disaster recovery, but the reserve is key to enhanced disaster recovery planning.

The town created two other disaster-reserve accounts this year: an advertising fund to help get out information after a disaster, and a fund to pay off debt during a disaster or financial crisis. Both of those accounts are capped at $1 million.

Federal

H-2B Visas

Senator Jim DeMint agreed to cosponsor S. 2884, a much-needed piece of legislation to ensure that our local tourism industry has the necessary workforce.  The chamber greatly appreciates Senator DeMint’s support of this important legislation.  S. 2884 may be considered by the Senate before the traditional August congressional recess – likely as an amendment to an unrelated piece of legislation.

Property Rights

On July 12, the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 4772 - The Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2005 that includes provisions that allow expedited consideration of property rights cases in federal court. The legislation now goes to the floor of the House. There is no companion bill in the Senate.

Coastal Drilling

Senate Republican leaders and key Senators reached a compromise on the off-shore energy drilling bill that could be on the Senate floor next week.   The bill includes provisions to allow state legislatures to approve drilling as close as 50 miles from shore and derive a far greater share of revenue from such drilling.

Pension Reform

Congressional negotiators reported that they have agreed on legislation to restore solvency to the nation's employer-based pension system for both current and future retirees.  The deal would impose stricter funding rules on companies that fall behind in contributions to defined-benefit pension plans.  A decision has not been made on how to handle the airline pension programs and several other key issues.

Minimum Wage

The House voted on a non-binding procedural amendment to an unrelated education bill to back an increase in the minimum wage. In addition, 25 House Republicans wrote the House Majority Leader asking for minimum wage hike vote before August recess.  This sets up an interesting battle over increasing the minimum wage in the weeks to come in the House. 

Flood Insurance

The House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 4973, the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2006 by a vote of 416-4.  The Senate is likely to consider the bill in the upcoming weeks.  The bill does the following:

  • Instructs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the status of the national flood insurance program for certain pre-FIRM properties (properties not constructed or improved after specified dates).
  • Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, with respect to the chargeable premium rate for actuarial rate properties in an area (or area subdivision), to include: (1) nonresidential properties; (2) non-primary residences; and (3) certain pre-FIRM properties constructed or substantially improved before December 31, 1974, (or before the effective date of the initial rate map for the area – in our local area September 30, 1977).
  • Reduces from 30 days to 15 days the waiting period before the effective date of flood insurance policies. Excepts from the waiting period requirement the initial purchase of flood insurance coverage in connection with the purchase or other transfer of the property for which the coverage is provided (regardless of whether a loan is involved in the purchase or transfer transaction).
  • Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to increase maximum flood insurance coverage for residential property: (1) from $250,000 to $335,000 for any single-family dwelling; (2) from $100,000 to $135,000 for contents per dwelling unit; and (3) from $500,000 to $670,000 the structure and related contents of a nonresidential property, including churches.
  • Increases from 10% to 15% the annual limitation on premium increases.
  • Increases from $18.5 billion to $25 billion the borrowing authority of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the flood insurance program.

WASHINGTON, DC FLY-IN SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 12-13, 2006. MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW. CALL CHRIS LONG IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING!